A local court in Maharashtra has convicted a 25-year-old businessman for sexually harassing a minor girl by using a derogatory word for her and pulling her hair.
Special Judge at Sessions Court in Dindoshi of Mumbai, S.J. Ansari, observed that the term used by the accused objectified women in a sexual manner and would attract the offence of outraging modesty of woman under Section 354 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The accused was convicted under Section 354 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
Stating that such offences and uncalled behaviour by ‘roadside Romeos’ need to be dealt with a heavy hand to protect women, the court sentenced the accused to 1.5 years in jail.
In its 28-page conviction order, the Judge noted that calling a girl an ‘item,’ a term used generally by boys to address girls in a derogatory fashion, objectified them in a sexual manner. The behaviour clearly indicated the intention of the accused in outraging modesty of the girl.
(Case title: State vs Abrar Noor Mohd Khan)